34 | FORESTRY FICA (Forest Industry Contractors Association) T T Virginia Wright FICA advocating on behalf of members FICA is a one-stop for close to 300 members, to access the information they need – from industry training to immigration legislation and Health and Safety regulations. “We provide technical support and education to our contractors about what’s going on in the industry so they can keep up with things, and one of the key ones is to provide networking opportunities for our members.” In his new role as CEO of FICA (Forestry Industry Contractors Association) Rowan Struthers is looking forward to being in a position to give something back to the industry, and to the people who have been instrumental in his own journey over 30 years working in forestry. His experience includes working for the vertically integrated Fletcher Challenge Forests, which gave him the opportunity to work right through the supply chain, from planting trees in the nursery through to the sales and marketing of building supplies such as processed lumber. Put that together with the years spent working for other big industry players such as the American company Manulife (formerly Hancock) and the equally big Chinese Forestry Group with its emphasis on the export log market and shipping, and it adds up to an indepth understanding of most if not all facets of New Zealand’s forestry industry. These days instead of engaging forestry contractors to fill an order or quota Rowan is now advocating on their behalf in a bid to influence policy, among other things. “We deal with multiple different stake holders as we work to ensure that our members’ interests are met or at least taken into consideration when policy and legislation are being drawn up. “We provide technical support and education to our contractors about what’s going on in the industry so they can keep up with things, and one of the key ones is to provide networking opportunities for our members.” Well aware that times are tough FICA is looking to use their bulk purchasing power to offer member benefits whether it’s for fuel or insurance, which sit alongside the wealth of technical information they offer through their website whether it’s environmental, ACC, or Health & Safety. Their goal is to be a one-stop shop for members to either access the information they need directly, or find the links to other sites such as SafeTree (the Forest Industry Safety Council website), to answer questions they might have. From immigration legislation affecting seasonal workers, to input into Health and Safety regulations, FICA is there to provide a voice that will be heard on behalf of their members in areas where a lone voice would be lost. “Forestry is a hazardous environment with many risks so we’re playing a key role in reviewing the approved Code of Practice and working closely with Worksafe,” says Rowan. “My role is to ensure that we have the opportunity to input into that process so the approved Code of Practice that comes out, that ultimately our workers are going to have to implement in their workplace, is actually feasible.” Industry training is another area under review where Rowan sees himself as a conduit for FICA’s close to 300 members, ensuring that the deep resource of knowledge and experience they have between them is tapped into and put to good use. A nationwide process drawing on members from the Far North to the Deep South. Rowan has other areas where he’s hoping to put his global understanding of the forestry industry to work, alongside the credibility that FICA has built up over 20 years or more, as he works to combat a tide of negative public perception. “We’ve got issues with things like wood residues which we agree are unacceptable but with an industry that works on a 25 year rotation it takes time to change. It’s obvious to me that we need a global- scale wood processing plant in Gisborne that can consume the whole tree and utilise those wood residues. There’s a market for it, and therein lies the opportunity.” Knowing how important the forestry industry is as a provider of employment in rural areas it’s one of many areas that Rowan will continue to work on, on behalf of FICA members and the industry as a whole.
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